Mary Grace Patillo (right) has a tearful goodbye with Yuri Miyagi at the end of the High School Diplomats program at Princeton. COURTESY

High School Diplomats is a life-changing cultural exchange
program that I have been trying to put into words for days now. It wasn’t until
two seconds ago, however, that I remembered one important detail about the
program — it can’t be put into words.

Even if I stated the facts — 40 Americans living with 40 Japanese
students for 10 days at Princeton University in New Jersey — the heart of the
program wouldn’t even be tapped into. The program can’t be explained by numbers
and facts alone, but by the stories of the craziness, love and joy that created
a family of 80 strangers from across the globe.

I arrived at Princeton thinking that I was ready for everything
to come, but I have never been more wrong in my life. Within days, my roommate,
Yuri Miyagi from Okinawa, and I were sharing laughs, cries, our deepest secrets
and darkest fears. Then, during a group discussion one day, the question of our
ideal future was brought up. I looked around the room in panic as the
Japanese students shared their dreams of ending poverty or being a doctor who
saves kids in developing countries.

Eventually, with wide eyes and a shaky voice, I said, “Well, uh …
I want to be a nun.” My new friends from America and Japan stared at me and didn’t
even know what to say. Honestly, I thought I’d get a lecture about their doubts
on religion, and everyone would say how weird it is to put trust in someone
I’ve never seen. But after that terrifying silence, everyone started asking
about Catholicism with true curiosity. Genuine questions about the Mass, the
saints and my relationship with Christ were asked, and I was thrilled to answer
each one.

On Sunday, I offered to take a group of students to Mass with me.
There was only a handful of other Catholic students, but I made sure to explain
that everyone was welcome to join. About 15 of us arrived at the start of Mass,
and I was excited to introduce God to them for maybe the first time ever.

Then, after the processional hymn, a huge wave of blue came
pouring into the pews. Three full rows of high schoolers wearing matching
shirts definitely draws attention, but to my surprise, none of us were bothered
by the stares. Each of us, Japanese and American, were drawn into the miracle
of the Mass.

After the service, we all talked with the priest, and some asked
for a picture with him by the statue of St. Paul. I even saw a Japanese girl
grab some copies of the Magnificat to take back home with her.

I joined this program to make global connections and help others
learn about my culture. Instead, by the end of it all, I was able to speak
fluent Japanese for five minutes, make sushi and host a traditional tea
ceremony.

These people, whom I had never met, helped me get closer to a God
they never even knew. I’ve been home for a week now, and not a day has gone by
that I don’t think of Yuri, Akane, Ayame and Hiyo — my sisters who live half a
world away. I haven’t stopped talking about Ikki, Hayata, Ryoga and Rensei —
four strangers who are now like my brothers. They call this the HSD magic.
Before I began, I thought they were crazy. Now I just pray for a little more
magic every day.

Pattillo is a junior at Riverbend High School in
Spotsylvania and a parishioner at St. Patrick Church in Fredericksburg.